EMS Information Bulletin 2018-14
DATE: July 2, 2018
SUBJECT: Revisions to required autoinjectors for BLS services participating in optional epinephrine autoinjector program
TO: EMS agencies with BLS services participating in the optional epinephrine autoinjector program
FROM: Douglas F. Kupas, MD, EMT-P Commonwealth EMS Medical Director
The Bureau of EMS has reassessed the quantity of epinephrine autoinjectors that are required to be carried by a BLS service that is participating in the optional epinephrine autoinjector program.The following changes are effective immediately for EMS agencies that participate in the optional epinephrine autoinjector program:
- At a minimum, BLS services in this program must carry one adult dose (0.3 mg) epinephrine autoinjector and one pediatric dose (0.15 mg) epinephrine autoinjector in their BLS ambulance or QRS (at the EMT level with agency medical director approval). The agency may choose to continue to stock two of each dose as an option.
- At a minimum, the agency must carry the epinephrine autoinjectors in their BLS ambulance or QRS (at the EMT level with agency medical director approval) that is the primary response vehicle. The agency may choose to carry the epinephrine in additional ambulances as an option.
Additionally, EMS agencies participating in this program should be aware that generic epinephrine autoinjectors are now available and may decrease medication costs.